Planning a South Pacific cruise? This is the best time to go
If you’re a cruiser, you’ll probably say there’s no better time to get aboard a ship for a holiday. But there are actually some parts of the year when it’s better to cruise in certain areas.
For Aussies, cruising the South Pacific is an easy way to get out on the open seas without having to travel too far from home.
Vanuatu is a popular cruise stop in the South Pacific. istock
Best time to visit the South Pacific
The best time for the weather to head to the South Pacific is May to October. That time of year is the dry season, for popular destinations like Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia.
While it may be winter and spring in Australia, the South Pacific is generally hot all year around.
You can expect highs of around 27 degrees and less humidity than other times of the year.
Tropical Fiji is a perfect place to cruise. iStock
Best time to cruise South Pacific from Australia
Most Aussies will want to take advantage of ships being in town for cruise season. That generally runs from October to April.
That means there’ll be the most options for cruises.
Royal Carribean has cruises on board Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas.
You can get on board in Sydney or Brisbane. Ports include Luganville and Port Vila both in Vanuatu and Noumea, New Caledonia.
Royal Caribbean sails from Sydney to the South Pacific, AAP
Private island Royal Beach Club Lelepa is also new on the itinerary for 2027 cruises. It’s the first of its kind in Australia.
The island will have two beaches to visit, including an adults-only retreat and a family beach with activities. A scenic nature trail and snorkelling will also be on offer.
There will also be 10 bars and “unlimited” island food, the company said.
Private island Royal Beach Club Lelepa is on the itinerary for the South Pacific in 2027. nna\sswain
Mystery Island in Vanuatu is also a popular stop.
Celebrity Cruises has Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Edge Down Under for the season. Opt for a longer cruise to take in Fiji including Suva and Lautoka.
Celebrity Cruises ships also call at Royal Beach Club Lelepa.
Cruise ship Royal Princess is heading to Australia. Supplied
Princess Cruises has ships in Sydney for the season, with South Pacific Cruises on offer.
Royal Princess and Grand Princess will be sailing there for the summer season from Sydney, for 12-, 13- and 14-day cruises.
Some world cruises also often make stops in the region, and passengers can usually join for shorter parts of the mammoth voyage.
Repositioning cruises also call in South Pacific ports.
Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Line has ships sailing from Australia all year round. You can sail from Sydney or Brisbane.
Carnival Cruise Lines ships call at ports including cities like Suva and Noumea in New Caledonia, as well as islands like Santo in Vanuatu and Dravuni Island in Fiji.
Carnival Cruises sails to the South Pacific. Supplied
Longer cruises also call at Nuku’Alofa in Samoa, as well as the Mutiny on the Bounty.
That is a series of uninhabited small islands and islets.
The area was made famous by an 18th-century mission by the Royal Navy’s HMS Bounty commanded by William Bligh, when the crew seized control of the ship and set it adrift.
The story has been turned into multiple movies of the same name.
